Howard Behar helped grow Starbucks from 28 stores to more than 15,000 and at 80, he found himself in a treatment center for depression.
Howard is the former president of Starbucks North America and the founding president of Starbucks International, a longtime advocate of servant leadership, and the author of It’s Not About the Coffee and The Magic Cup. He returns to Men Talking Mindfulness for one of the most candid conversations we’ve had: what depression actually felt like in his body, why acknowledging it was the hardest and most important step, what treatment really looked like (including the setback when he thought he was ready to go home), and what keeps him well now. His message is direct and hopeful.
Depression is a sickness, not a weakness, nobody is beyond its reach, and people around you genuinely want to help if you let them. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:
1. Why depression is a physical illness as much as a mental one — and what it felt like in his chest
2. Why acknowledging it was the hardest step, and what changed the moment he did
3. What treatment actually looked like, including the setback that taught him he wasn’t done yet
4. The two-week marker: when ongoing symptoms are a signal to reach out rather than wait it out
5. What keeps him well now — ongoing counseling, real routine, and letting people in
More about Howard Behar:
1. Website: http://howardbehar.com/
2. Books: It’s Not About the Coffee and The Magic Cup — available on Amazon
3. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-behar-24ba274/
4. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Hpbehar
5. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
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